For those of you who don’t know what sous vide is, it literally translates from French as ‘under vacuum’. What this means is the food is sealed in a pouch under vacuum before being cooked very slowly at controlled temperatures. Sous vide uses a water bath to accurately cook the vacuum packed items at a precise temperature, which then creates enhanced texture and taste.

One very recognisable uniform in the Western world is the chefs uniform, traditionally known as chefs whites, which include a toque, white double breasted jacket and chequered trousers. White has always been the common colour to wear in the kitchen generally because it is known to indicate cleanliness, and was worn by head chefs to signify the importance and high regard of their profession.

Although we’re still in the middle of summer, the new university term will soon be with us. For students, it can be a daunting time with lots of preparation in the run up to the start date. To help ease you in to student living, Nisbets have put together a range of great value student kitchen packs, particularly suited to those moving into halls of residence.

Featuring everything from cutlery and crockery through to pots, pans and kitchen utensils, they include all that you’ll need for the kitchen in your new digs and will help to elevate your culinary repertoire beyond beans on toast! There are 3 packs available to suit all budgets and requirements; our basic set, standard pack and the full works:

When it comes to cleaning, cleaning with care matters, regardless of whether it’s in your home or in a communal establishment. Good hygiene is always of upmost importance wherever you go, be it your bathroom at home or a restaurant floor. Made from natural, sustainable plant-based ingredients, the Ecover range is fully biodegradable and has less impact on aquatic life. All these products also offer Ecover consumers superior cleaning power without leaving behind harmful toxins. This brand is constantly working to ensure they leave fewer unwanted residues, which means they are a better and more proficient cleaning
product

It’s now official; we’re in the midst of a sweltering heatwave
which is set to continue well into the summer.

I find the trick to enjoying a heatwave is to find effective
ways of cooling down. There are plenty of hints and tips around, including two
of my favourites; taking a hot water bottle filled with cold water to bed, and licking
your own wrists.

Personally, I can think of some more consistent and
pleasurable relief, primarily in the form of a drink or two. And based on my
research over the weekend, there are plenty of like-minded others.

As the only Tudor Castle Hotel in England, Thornbury Castle is uniquely placed to offer guests a culturally rich experience. Steeped in over 500 years of history, Thornbury is without doubt the jewel in the crown of the Luxury Family Hotel Group and as you venture beyond the heavy oak doors you'll find yourself walking in the same rooms and grounds as Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn did all those years ago.

Although the venue oozes history, this is perfectly contrasted by a modern yet traditional internationally inspired menu that uses the finest and freshest ingredients, many of which are sourced from the castle’s own gardens, local markets and nearby suppliers, to provide a culinary experience that the Guardian once described as ‘being fit for a king’.

No one knows what we did, if anything, but the temperature
has suddenly skyrocketed!

Everywhere pale, squinting Brits are emerging from the
Wimbledon euphoria of Andy Murray’s triumph and hitting the beer garden or restaurant
terrace. It’s fair to say that food-serving businesses everywhere have seen the
numbers through the door go the same way as the thermostat.

My Nisbets product of the week has to be this fabulous KitchenAid Mixer. A little pricey you may think for a domestic kitchen, but I can assure you it’s worth every penny and they last a life time. This luxurious brand will certainly stand proud in the kitchen for those who wish to entertain and impress dinner guests; it certainly is eye-catching on the TV show Saturday Kitchen! Whether you want this for the home or for it to be used in a commercial kitchen it will noticeably simplify your preparation time and allow you to indulge your creativity in the kitchen.

Not only does it have a gorgeous vintage look to it, with smooth rounded edges for easy cleaning, but this mixer is strong enough to process larger amounts of food. To give you a better idea of the amount, it can process 19 egg whites, 1.9 litres of whipped cream, 4.5kg cake mix, 3.8g dough and 3.6kg of mashed potatoes; it does this fast and thoroughly, helping you keep up with the demands of a busy kitchen.

It’s a wise investment, and to help you get started with it, here are a few ideas of what you can use it for...• Soup • Ice Cream • Bread • Cakes • Dough’s • Batters • Whipping Cream

Don't forget to come along to our KitchenAid Mixer Demo Days in our London and Birmingham stores from 11-4pm on Thursday 18th July, there will be exclusive offers on the day – not to be missed!

During the summer, it’s always happy hour! Whether you’re
making cocktails for your customers or practicing at home with friends you will
need the essentials. We have a range of excellent glassware and bar equipment
for making and serving cocktails, as well as purees and cocktail mixes for establishments that perhaps don’t have the time or
skill to make cocktails from scratch. If you are new to cocktails then don’t go
overboard, stick to a small selection and make sure they are served perfectly.

My Nisbets Product of the Week has to be the Bolero parasol
range.With the summer comes the weather that
can make either dreams or nightmares, and I’m not sure crossing fingers and
wishful thinking is preparation enough.

So whether you have a bus fare in your
pocket or a contingency plan for a rainy day, be ready for whatever weather is
thrown at you, be it a heat wave or mini monsoon.